Hoisting block



May 12, 1942- F.`J. YUNG 2,282,633.v

HOISTING BLOCK Filed Feb, v, 1940 s sheets-snee; 1

May 12, 1942. F..J. YOUNG l2,282,633

HoIsTING BLOCK Filed Feb. '7, 1940 3 sheets-sheet 2 May'- 12, 1942.

F. J, YOUNG HoIsTING BLOCK Filed Feb. '7. 1940 3y Sheets-Sheet 5Patented May 12, 1942 UNITED vsT-.l'rl-:s

t l i Aareasp PATENT OFFICE HOISTIN G BLOCK Forrest J. Young, LosAngeles, Calif., assigner to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh,Pa., a corporation .of Pennsylvania Y Application February 7, 1940,Serial No. 317,702

14 Claims. i (Cl. 254-192) This invention relates to hoisting blocks,and is more particularly directed to an improved mounting of the sheavesin such block and to improvements in the load-carrying structurethereof. This invention is particularly applicablaj for the constructionof traveling blocks of the type used in well drilling operations but itwill be apparent from the hereinafter contained description that theinvention is also applicable to stationary or crown blocks and tohoisting blocks l0 in general.

In hoisting blocks of the type where a plurality of sheaves arerotatably mounted upon a common shaft or pintle, it has been found thatthe sheaves tend to crowd at one end of the shaftfiliv therebydisturbing the balance of the block and causing wear on the hubs of theYsheaves due to accumulated end thrust.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a structure ofhoisting block wherein theggo crowding of the sheaves at one end of theshaft is prevented. Y

Another object of my invention is to provide a hoisting block havingv aplurality of sheaves mounted upon a common shaft or pintle andr2'5between which sheaves there is positioned thrustreceiving washers fixedin position to limit the aXial movement o f the sheaves.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved structure ofhoisting block` where 30 the sheaves are separated by fixedthrust-receiving washers and means are provided for holding the washersfrom rotation.

Another Vobject of my invention is to provide an improved form ofhoisting block having a 35 plurality of sheaves mounted upon a singlepintle, which sheaves are mounted upon bearings, the inner races ofwhich bearings are separated by thrust-receiving washers and whereinthere is provided an improved form of means for pre 10 venting rotationof the washers and the inner bearing races of the bearings, providing astruc-k ture which may be readily assembled'and disassembled as may berequired.

Another object of this invention is to provide 45 a traveling blockincluding an improved supporting structure incorporating tension membersthrough which the pintle or shaft is connected with the clevis-carryinglower pin.

50 Other objects and advantages of this Vinvention it is believed willbe apparent from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment thereof vas illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 55

In the drawings: v

Figure l is a side elevation partly in vertical midsection of a hoistingblock embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereofy partly 60 ly in sectionillustrating the mounting of one Y of the sheaves upon the pintle orstationary shaft.

Figure 6 is a perspective View in schematic form illustrating theassembly'of keys employed for preventingrotation of certain of the partsand illustrating their relationship upon the shaft or pintle.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, the hoisting block of my invention isillustratedas including spaced cover members Yl and 2 connected together byupperand lower pins 3 and 4 and between which there is positioned'aAstationary shaft or pintle 5. Securely affixed to each cover l and 2are load-carrying plates 6 and 'l formed of rolled steel of relativelyhigh tensile strength. The plates 6 and 'l are adapted .to receivethrough openings formed therein the pintle 5 and the lower supportingpin 4 and the plates 6 and 1 thus provide the tension supportingmemberswhich connect the pintle 5 and the lower load-.supporting pin 4.

on one end of the pinne 5` there is formed the enlarged head 8 which 'tswithin a recess 9 formed in the cover member 2 and this enlarged head 8forms an abutment to contact `the outer face of the load-carryingplate 1. The opposite end of the pintle 5 is threaded as indicated at l0to receive a nutV Il within a recess l2 formed in the cover member I.The nut ll thus contacts the" outer face `of the supporting plate 6. As

hereinafter will be set forth, the tightening of vthe nut Il acts toclamp the plates 6 and 'l to- Agether against the sheave assemblysupported upon the pintle 5. It will be apparent that the width of thissheave assembly determines the spacing of the plates '6 and 'l and henceofthe cover members l and 2. The upper pin 3 is secured in positionbetween the covers l and 2 by the head I3 and nut [4 which are thuspositioned within the offset recesses I5 of the cover mem,- bers land 2respectively.

Carried upon the pin 3 is an upper bracket I6 comprising the top of thetraveling block. This bracket I6 is, as illustrated, prevented fromturn-V ing upon the pin 3 by means of complementary lugs I1 and covervmembers l and 2 respectively. The bracket I6 is provided with an openingI9 for convenient handling of the block.

I 8` formed on the bracket 16 and The lower load-support-l ing pin 4 islikewise secured in position in a similar manner by its head 20 and nut2| engaging within recesses in the covers and 2 in engagement with theplates 6 and 1.

Mounted on the pin 4 is a clevis 22 carried by the clevis links 23journaled on the pin 4. j, A

lower bracket 24 is also mounted upon the lowerl pin 4 and is likewiseheld from rotation by means of spaced stops 25 carriedby the: plates 6and 1. The lower bracket 24 carries line spacers V26 upon bolts 21 whichremovably position the` spacers 26 to prevent the block line fromjumping from one sheave to the next.

The sheave assembly includes a plurality of j traveling block, two formsof bearings illustrated' at 3| and 32, respectively, are utilized. Theform of bearing 3| is of the plain rollerl type while the form ofbearing 321s of the tapered roller type. The tapered roller type ofbearing is found particularly applicable for use where the sheave 28supported thereby is of high speed rotation and is therefore employedadvantageously for supporting the high speed sheave.

The straight roller type of bearing 3| is' found to be entirelysatisfactory for moderate or lowA rotation speeds and of course isconsiderably less expensive and therefore the majority 'of the sheaves28 are illustrated as being supported up- Each of j on this type ofbearing. It will of course be ob- Y vious that in some cases it will befound entirely satisfactory to use straight roller bearings of the typeillustrated at 3| for all the sheaves and in other cases two bearings ofthe type illustrated at 32 may be used, one on each side of the block,in order that after a period of service the block may be turned side forside to present a relatively new bearing for usein connection with thehigh speed line.

v Each of the bearings 3| includes aninner racev 33, an outer race 34,rollers 35, and av retainer 38.

The bearing 32 includes a split inner race 31, tapered rollers 38, anouter race 39, retainer 40, and the closing guards 4|. The inner races33 and 31 have a slip-fit on the pintle 5 so that they can be easilyinstalled or replaced. The outer races 34 and 39 are press-fittedintothe hub 38 of the particular sheave 28. s

In order to prevent rotation of the inner race in the race 31 to receivethe end 43 of the double ended key 44 which is slip-fitted into thekeyway 45 of the pintle 5. By preventing separation of the split innerrace 315 the double ended key 44 maintains the bearing 32 assembled Aasa unit, thereby facilitating assembly or disassembly of the sheave 28and bearing 32 on the pintle 5. It should be noted that the keyway 45`is located in a neutral axis of the pintle, so thatthe bending strengthof the pintle isY not materially af- Y fected.

lA series of keys are slip-fitted` into the keyway 45 to retainthe-inner races 33 of the bearings 3| from rotation and also to holdthejthrust washers 29 from rotation. lfhese keysfitinto'vrecesses 46formed in the thrust washers 29 and into recesses 41 formed in the innerraces 33.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the inner end key 48 is provided with anengaging portion 49 which engages within the thrust washer recess 46 andthe inner race recess 41. The keys 50 likewise engage both within thethrust washer recesses and the inner race recesses. The outer key 5| isy wider than the other keys and it is used only to lock or hold fromrotation the last thrust washer 29, and it does not engage the plate E'.It is made wider to prevent inadvertent use of the wrong key at thisposition. It will be noted in this respect that each of the keys 5U and48 operates to hold both the inner races 33 and the thrust washers 29from rotation.

The assembly upon the pintle 5 is a metal to metal contact between thehead 8 and the nut i l, thereby preventing endwise movement of thethrust washers 29 along the pintle 5. As will be apparent from Figures 3and 4, the assembly of thesheaves 28 upon the pintle 5 is accomplishedas follows:

With the cover member 2 resting on the floor and the pintle 5 projectingvertically upwardly, the sheave 28 carrying the high speed bearingassembly is first lowered onto the pintle 5. The split inner race 31slides freely along the pintle 5, as does the key 44 along the keyway45. The first thrust washer 29 is then dropped in place and thesingle-ended key 48 is slid along the keyway 45 to hold this thrustwasher 29 from rotation. Each of the other bearing assembly parts isthen successively installed in place with the corresponding sheave 28.This is accomplished by rstsliding the inner race 33 into place togetherwith the rollers 35 and retainer 38, taking care to register therecesses 41 with the head of thefkeys 5U. The sheave 28 carrying theouter race 34 is then lowered into position upon the rollers 35. Thenext thrust washer 29 is then lowered into position and the process isrepeated until Iche entirenumber of sheaves is mounted upon the pintle5. Whenthe last thrust washer 29 is placed and the outer key 5| isinserted the side member comprising the cover member l and platev 6 islowered into position over the end of the pintle 5 and the nut isthreaded onto the end of the shaft`5. The nut clamps the side y 31 uponthe pintle 5, en d notches 42 are formed 'members together and clampsthe thrust washers 29'between the inner races 33 and 31 and henceprevents axial movement of the inner races and the thrust washers. Nuts|4 and 2| are then threaded into position upon the pins 3 and 4,respectively. Y

Locking keys 52 are provided for holding each of the nuts |4 and 2| inproper position, and similar lock keys 53 are provided on the other sideof the block to prevent rotation of the pins 3 andA 4 and pintle 5. Itwill be apparent from Figure 2Y that the lock 53 for the pintle head 8may be used to secure the pintle .in either of two angular positionsspaced' approximately 180 Y apart. This permits the races 33 to beinverted guard around the bo1ts.51, thereby exposing the sheaves 28 foreasy Stringing of the cable'. Vertically extendingslots 58 are providedin the upper portion of each guard adjacent thezsheaves 28 to establisha clearance around the cable.

In the lining of the block, if only four of the ve sheaves are to beused, it may be found necessary to transfer the line fromone sheave toan other. Removalof the spacer plates 26 permits this operation to beaccomplished without restringing the entire block.

Means are provided for introducing lubricant into each of the bearings3l and 32 and as illustrated, this means includes the longitudinal bore59 formed through the pintle 5 through which lubricant conduitsY 60extend to. each respective bearing assembly. Each of the conduits 60 isprovided with a pressure tting 6| mounted.v

do not form a material part of the load-transmit-l ting system and theirmain function is that of a shield into which otherwise projecting partscan be recessed and in order to provide smooth outer surfaces for thesides of the block.

Having fully described my invention, itis to be understood that I do notwish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention isof the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Ina sheave mounting, the combination of f a stationary shaft, meanspositioned Vat the Aends of said shaft comprising the sole supports forsaid shaft, a plurality of sheaves positioned side by side on said shaftintermediate said supports, individual bearing` means adapted to supporteach of said sheaves for rotation upon said shaft, each of said bearingmeans including Ya sleeve element having a slip fit on said shaft, aplurality of annular washers arranged on said shaft in alternaterelation with said sheaves and adapted to receive axial thrust impartedby said sheaves, a continuous keyway-in the shaft extending axiallyalong a neutral axis thereof, keys positioned in said keyway adapted toprevent rotation of said annular washers and said sleeve elements, meansassociated with the shaft adapted to clamp said annular washers betweensaid sleeve` elements to prevent axial movement of said annular washers,and means associated with the supporting means and independent of saidkeys adapted to secure the shaft, sleeve elements and annular Washers asa unit in either of two angularly spacedpositions.

2. In a sheave mounting, the combination of a stationary shaft, a pairof sleeve elements mounted on said shaft, a pair of sheaves rotatablymounted on said sleeve elements, an annular washer encircling a portionof said shaft and interposed between said sheaves to limit axialmovement of each sheave toward the other, a continuous axially extendingkeyway formed in the shaft along a neutral axis thereof, a key in saidkeyway provided with a head portion adapted to contact the washer andone of said sleeve elements to prevent rotation thereof, meansassociated with the shaft adapted to clamp said annular washer betweensaid sleeve elements to prevent axial movement of the washer relative tothe sleeve elements, and means to secure the ysaid annular washers.

shaft, sleeve elements,.washer and'key as a' unit in either of twoangularlyY spaced positions.

3. In a sheave mounting, the combinationof a stationary shaft, meanspositioned at the ends of said shaft comprising the sole supports forsaid shaft,'a plurality of sleeve elements mounted in axially spacedrelation on said shaft intermediate said supports, a plurality ofannular washers arranged on said shaft in alternate relation with saidsleeve elements, a continuous axially extending keyway formed in theYshaft along a neutral axis thereof, a plurality of keys in said keyway,each key being provided with ay head portion adapted to contact one ofsaid annular washers and one of said sleeve elements to prevent rotationthereof relative to the shaft, an abutmentonthe shaft near one endthereof, a nut threaded on the other end of said Vshaft and adapted toclamp the sleeve elements and annular washers in solid relation againstsaid abutment, means associated with the supporting means adapted tosecure the shaft, sleeve elements and annular washers as a unit inveither of two angularly spaced positions, and a sheave rotatably mountedon each of said sleeve-.elements and confined against lateralmovementfby 4. In a traveling block, the combination of a stationaryshaft horizontally disposed, a pin vertically spaced below said shaftand disposed parallel thereto,. a plurality of sleeve elements mountedin axially spaced relation on saidshaft, a plurality of annular washersarranged on said shaft in alternate relation with said sleeve elements,a sheave rotatably mounted on eachof said sleeve elements and confinedvagainst lateral movement by said annular washers, a pair of parallelvertically extending plates spaced axially of said shaft and adapted todirectly connect said shaft and pin, means carried on said pin betweensaid plates adapted to support a load, an abutment on the shaft near oneend thereof, a nut threaded on the other end .of said shaft and adaptedto clamp the sleeve elements, annular washers, and said plates invsolidrelation against said abutment, and a pair of cover memberssupported by said plates independently: of said shaft and adapted todefine the lateral exterior surfaces of the block, said cover membersbeing provided with recesses adapted to receive said abutment and saidnut.

5. In a traveling block, the combination vof a stationary shafthorizontally disposed, a pin vertically spaced below said shaft anddisposed vparallel thereto, a pairof parallel vertically extendingplates spaced axially of said shaft and adapted to directly connect saidshaft and pin, said plates constituting substantially the sole meansacting to support said pin from said shaft, meansY 6. In a travelingblock, the combination ofa i stationary shaft horizontally disposed, apin vertically spaced below said shaft and disposed par- -allel thereto,a plurality of sleeve elements mounted in axially spaced relation onsaid shaft,

shaft in alternate relation with said sleeve elements, a sheaverotatably mounted Yon each of said sleeve elements and confined againstlateral movement by said annular washers,.imeans `5 adapted to clampsaid sleeve elements andsaid annular washers in solid end-to-endrelation, said means including a pair of parallel vertically extendingplates spaced axially of said shaft and adapted to directly connect saidshaft andipin,"v '10 means carried on said pin betweensaid platesadapted to support a load, means forming an enclosure for said sheaves,said means including a pair of` cover members carried on said loadsupporting plates independently of said vshaft and?. 15 extendingupwardly above theends of said plates, and a cross member above theupper limit of the periphery of said sheaves adapted to connect theupperends of said cover members.

7. In a hoisting block construction, the com-'20 bination of aV shaft,an axially extending keyway formed in said shaft, a sheave having a hubencircling said shaft, a roller bearing assembly mounted upon said shaftand within said hub, said assembly including a plurality of rollerele-3,25 ments and a pair `of separable inner raceways,

a key in said keyway adapted to prevent rotation of the inner racewayswith respect tosaid shaft, said key being provided with projecting -headportions at its opposed `ends which arefgo adapted to prevent separationof said inner .raceways during assembly or disassembly of Ythe sheaveand bearing assembly axially of the shaft.

8. In a hoisting block construction, the combination of a shaft havingan axially extending-35 provided with projecting head portions at itsopposed ends which are adapted to prevent separation of said innerraceways during assembly or disassembly of the rotary member andvrrollerl 50V bearing assembly axially of the shaft.

9. In a traveling block, the combination of a stationary horizontalshaft, a pin spaced below and parallel to said shaft, a pair ofvertically extending side members adapted to connect theggm shaft andpin, a plurality ofV sheaves rotatably mounted on said shaft between theside members, means suspended on said pin between thev side members andadapted to support a load, bracket means carried on said pin, a pair ofguard mem. 80

bers extending transversely between the side members and cooperatingtherewith to forman enclosure for said sheaves, and'meansl forming apivotal connection between each of the guard members and said bracketmeans. i x 6b 10. In a traveling block, the combination of a stationaryhorizontal shaft, a pin spaced below and parallel to said shaft, apairof vertically extending side members adapted to connect the shaftand pin, a plurality of sheaves rotatablyfm raceways'in operativeposition against axial displacement along the shaft.

mounted on said shaft between the sidamembers, means suspended on saidpin between the side members and adapted to 'support a load, a

'bracket pivotally mounted upon said pin, cooperfa plurality of annularwashers :arranged on said ating means on th bracket and side membersadapted to prevent relative movement therebetween, apair of guardmembers extending transversely between the side members and across theface of the sheaves, and means forming a pivotal connection between eachof the guard members and said bracket.

l1. In a traveling block, the combination of a stationary horizontalshaft, a pin spaced below and parallel'to said shaft, a second pinspaced above and parallel to said shaft, a pair of vertically extendingside members adapted to connect said shaft and pins, a plurality ofsheaves rotatably mounted'on said shaft between the side members, abracket carried on each of said pins, a pair of guard members extendingtransversely across the face of the sheaves between the side members,and releasable means for securing each of vsaid guard members to both of'said brackets; Y

12.. In a sheave mounting, the combination vof a stationary shaft, meanspositioned at the ends of said shaft comprising the sole supportstherefor, a plurality of sheaves positioned on said shaft intermediatesaid supports, individual bearing means adapted to support each of saidsheaves for rotation upon said shaft, each of said bearing meansincluding a sleeve element insertable axially to operative position onsaid shaft, a plurality of annular washers arranged on said shaft inalternate relation with saidsheaves and adapted to receive axial thrustimparted by said sheaves, a keyway in the shaft, keys in the keywayadapted to prevent rotation of the annular washers,

an yabutment on the shaft near one end thereof, a nut threaded kon theother end of the shaft and adapted to clamp the supports, sleeveelements and annular washers in solid relation against said abutment,and means associated with said-supports and independent of said keysadapted toA secure the shaft, sleeve elements and annular washers as aunit in either of two angular positions spaced 180 apart.

y 13. In a sheave mounting, the combination of a stationary shaft, aplurality of sleeve elements mounted in axially spaced relation on saidshaft, a plurality of annular washers arranged on said jshaft in-alternate relation with said sleeve ele- Aments, an abutment von theshaft near one end thereof, a nut threaded on the other end Vof saidshaft and adapted to clamp the sleeve elements and annular washers insolid relation against said abutment, means adapted to secure the shaft,sleeve elements and annular washers as a unit in either of two angularpositions, spaced substantially one-half revolution apart.

14. In a hoisting block construction, the combination of a shaft vhavingan axially extending keyway, a plurality of sheaves rotatably mountedupon the shaft, a roller bearing assembly for mounting one of thesheaves on the shaft, said .assembly including a pair of separable innerraceway's, a key in said keyway having project- ,ing head portions atits opposed ends, said head portions being adapted to prevent rotationof the raceways relative to the shaft and to prevent separation 'ofYsaid inner raceways during assembly or disassembly of the sheave andbearing assembly axiallyY of the shaft, and releasable clamping meansadapted to secure the inner FoRREsT J. YOUNG.

#ffl-. l CERTIFICATE CE CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,282,655. May 12, 19LI2.

ECEEEST J. YOUNG.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring` 'Correction as follows: Page 2,first column, line 52, for "retainer LTO read -I-retainers LLO--g pageIl, first column, line 50, Claim 8,v for rotary member" read -v-sheaven;and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this Correctiontherein that the same may conform to the record of the Case in thePatent Office.

signed and Sealed this 11th day of August, A. D. 19m.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) v Acting Commissioner of Patents.

